Please thoughtfully reply to at least two other students due by 11:55pm ET on Sunday.  Your replies must contain a minimum of 75 words.#1Hello class! After reviewing what we have learned so far, I

Please thoughtfully reply to at least two other students due by 11:55pm ET on Sunday.  Your replies must contain a minimum of 75 words.

#1

Hello class! After reviewing what we have learned so far, I think that the most important component of the emergency planning process is step six. Step six is implementing and maintaining the plan. Of course the first five steps (1. Form a collaborative planning team, 2. Understand the situation 3. Determine goals and objectives, 4. Develop a plan, 5. Prepare and review the plan), are extremely important because the plan needs to be made in the first place (FEMA, 2010)! There are, however, a few reasons that step six is the most important part.

First, if the first five steps are completed yet the plan is not implementing during an emergency, what good is it? We can do all the preparing in the world, but if the plan is not utilized when it is actually needed, then it was pretty much all for nothing. If the emergency services functions are not put into action, the supplies are not handed out, and the vital information is not given to citizens, all the planning will not have saved lives. Second, without training workers and emergency planners on how to successfully execute the plan, then it will not be effective in helping people.

Lastly, without maintaining the plan it could be very ineffective down the line. If the plan is outdated or has been proven to be problematic, it needs to be reevaluated and fixed. A remedial action process can help to identify and correct problems with an EOP (FEMA, 2010). It includes post-disaster critiques, self-assessments, audits, and much more to reveal what might be wrong with the current plan (FEMA, 2010). Threats and hazards can change over time and updating plans is vital to keeping residents safe and informed.

Works Cited:

FEMA. (2010). Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101. Retrieved December 16, 2018, from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1828-25045-0014/cpg_101_comprehensive_preparedness_guide_developing_and_maintaining_emergency_operations_plans_2010.pdf

#2

Good Morning Class:

As all 6 steps are critical in not only developing and maintaining the Emergence operations Plan (EOP), however from my experience and the readings in this authors option step 6 is the most value added for two main reasons. First and foremost is, Plan Implementation and Maintenance.  Is being used with the first key element of exercising and then editing the plan you will get a real time evaluation if what you have planned actually works before having to accomplish the actual process.

There are many ways to produce an EOP. The planning process that follows is flexible and allows communities to adapt it to varying characteristics and situations. While not ideal, if time is a constraint, steps can be minimized or skipped in order to accelerate the process. Small communities can follow just the steps that are appropriate to their size, known risks, and available planning resources. Figure 4.1 depicts steps in the planning process. At each step in the planning process, jurisdictions should consider the impact of the decisions made on training, exercises, equipment, and other requirements. (FEMA, 2010)

In order for step 6 to be truly value added the after-action report (AAR) must be accomplished, and reviewed with a critical eye, and from each entity participating in the exercise. If any one key element such as say the shelter operations you may be unaware that a particular shelter has been undergoing renovations for asbestos removal and is not available for a large segment of the affected population.

The after-action report (AAR) results from an administrative process used by the jurisdiction to review and discuss the response in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in the emergency management and response program. The AAR should: Describe the reasons and need to conduct an AAR (e.g., review actions taken, identify equipment shortcomings, improve operational readiness, highlight strengths/initiatives) Describe the methods and agencies used to organize and conduct a review of the disaster, including how recommendations are documented to improve local readiness (e.g., change plans/procedures, acquire new or replace outdated resources, retrain personnel) Describe the links and connections between the processes used to critique the response to an emergency/disaster and the processes used to document recommendations for the jurisdiction’s exercise program Describe how the jurisdiction ensures that the deficiencies and recommendations identified in the AAR are corrected/completed. (FEMA, 2010)

Works Cited:

FEMA. (2010). Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101. Retrieved December 14, 2018, from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1828-25045-0014/cpg_101_comprehensive_preparedness_guide_developing_and_maintaining_emergency_operations_plans_2010.pdf